Superintendent`s Beehive Article - Gloucester County Public Schools

Superintendent’s Message
Walter R. Clemons, Ph.D.
April 27, 2015
Dear Gloucester County Community Members:
I hope that you are doing well. I know we are all glad that the winter season is behind us as we
look forward to spring and summer. As always, I want to take time to personally thank all
faculty and staff, students, parents and the entire community for your efforts as we
continuously strive for excellence in all that we do. To that end, there have been some exciting
things happening in the school district that I would like to update the community on since my
last update in January of 2015.
The Comprehensive Plan for the Division has been completed and was adopted by the
Gloucester County School Board in March of 2015. Again, I would like to sincerely thank all who
participated in the development process of the Comprehensive Plan. You can now access the
Comprehensive Plan on the GCPS website. Construction of the new Page Middle School is
steadily progressing and we are still on schedule to complete the building in the summer of
2015. I also want to continuously acknowledge our teachers and students who have received
various awards and congratulate them on their efforts and accomplishments. April 2015 is
recognized as School Library Month and May 6th is recognized as National School Nurse Day.
Also, May 4th through May 8th is recognized as Teacher Appreciation Week. Please let our
teachers and staff know how much you appreciate them as they shape and mold the lives of
our youth who eventually will lead us into the future.
Teachers of the Year for the 2014-15 school year have been selected for Gloucester County
Public Schools. I want to congratulate each of these ladies on this wonderful and awesome
honor. They are as follow: Lisa Sheesley (Abingdon), Kim Price (Achilles), Ruth Clements
(Bethel), Megan Houtz (Botetourt), Angie Gilliam (Petsworth), Kathy Tucker (Page), Cherise
LaGuardia (Peasley), Jennipher Mancil (GHS), and Anne Petersen (GHS). In addition, please
note the following:
GCPS Division Level Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Megan Houtz (Botetourt)
GCPS Division Level Middle School Teacher of the Year
Kathy Tucker (Page)
GCPS Division Level High School Teacher of the Year
Jennipher Mancil
Megan Houtz of Botetourt Elementary School was also selected as the GCPS Division Teacher
of the Year and will represent GCPS in the Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year program at
the state level.
Finally, I want to thank each of you for your input and support for the Division’s operating
budget proposal to the County Board of Supervisors for the 2015-2016 school year. Please
know that we will do all we can each day to provide the best educational opportunities for the
students in Gloucester County. In closing, I look forward to continuously working with all
community stakeholders and I sincerely thank you for your time.